Compartment key and latch



Patented Feb. 10, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT oEncE COMPARTMENT KEY AND LATCH Jesse Guy Manley, Bryn Mawr, Wash.

Application December 11, 1944, Serial No. 567,580

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a key and lock. structlIIef.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a lock with a key operable portion that prevents normal access, but permits key actuated access, the key being of container character and adapted to container toilet accessories and the like.

One chief feature of the invention resides in a self-locking lock of simple type with which may be associated a comparatively inexpensive key for lock actuation.

Another chief feature of this invention resides in the accessory containing key, which is of simple and inexpensive construction.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter, although it appears that it is here advisable to describe the application of the invention and its utility.

Rest rooms for filling stations and the like have become public comfort stations with attendant theft of supplies, such as towels, soap, toilet paper, etc., and dirtying of such areas by other than the patrons of such station.

Such patrons, however, may be provided with supply keys for use, so that with outside entrance-s, the rest room may be used by the key-holder whether the station be open or closed.

Such keys are comparatively inexpensive and also may be utilized for advertising purposes.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing and the following description and claim:

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front or exterior view of a door structure with the key operable lock applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a rear or interior viewof the same.

Fig. 3 is a central sectional view of such structure with key applied, the view being taken on line 33 of Fig. 1 and in the directionof the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the container key shown in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, l indicates a hinged closure, such as a door and H the frame associated therewith. l2 indicates the door stop thereof. Plate I3 is secured at M to the door outer face. It has opening l5 therethrough and said opening is closed by gravity tiltable plate It pivoted at H.

Door I 0 has opening 18 therethrough registering with opening l5. It seats cylindrical tube I9 in which is rotatably mounted cylinder 20, which terminates at its outer end appreciably remote from opening IS in plate [3. This; outerend includes diametrical shoulder 2t on semi cylindrical axial projection 22.

On the rear of the door is mounted palte 24 by the means l4 aforesaid. It has central or co-axial opening 25 therein in which is rotatably mounted the reduced stem or cylindrical portion 26 of the opposite extension on cylinder 20. Screw 21 prevents member 20 withdrawal. Extending inwardly from portion 26 is the end 28 having shoulder or face 29.

This is juxtapositioned relative to the lower edge 30 of latch member 3| pivoted at 32 on rear plate 24. Member 31 is provided with inside knob l32. Secured to plate 24 at 33 is a U- shaped strap 34 and this provides with plate 24 an elongated slot in which latch member 3| may be oscillated.

The frame II has secured to it at 38 the catch plate 39 having extension 40 that is notched at 4! to form a socket to seat the free end 42 of the latch member 3|. The cam face 43 facilitates latch end 42 seating in notch 4|.

When the door is to be opened from the inside, the knob I32 is grasped and latch 3l42 elevated and the door drawn inward, which is possible as soon as the lower edge of the latch is positioned above the highest part of cam face 43. When the door is closed, the latch rides cam face 43 and is elevated until it (latch end 42) seats in notch 41 and by gravity.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 3 and 4. Herein a key is shown comprised of a cardboard or like tube 44, sealed closed at one end as at 45 after certain accessories are included therein. These may be soap tissue sheets, towel sheets and toilet paper, as well as matches and the like.

The opposite end of the tubular key is closed by a cam plug 46 suitably secured to the other end of this tube by adhesive or the l ke. This plug 46 has the diametrical face 41 on the semicylindri al project on 48 of plug.

The tube may contain a suitable label or legend carrying the name and address of the service station, etc., and the other advertising matter, as well as instructions for using the key, soap tissue, etc.

When it is desired to unlock and open the door, the plate [6 is tilted as shown in Fig. 1 to expose opening l5. This plate prevents snow and ice entrance, etc. Then the key is inserted and slowly turned until projection 48 of the key laps projection 22 of cylinder 20. Further inward movement of the key positions same, as shown in Fig. 3.

Rotation of the key then rotates member 20 and since face 29 underlies edge 30 of the latch member 3|, same will be tilted upwardly to unseat and clear same from notch 4! in the catch plate.

a simple self-conditioning lock with all the attendant advantages inherent therein.

While the invention has been described in great detail hereinbefore, same is to be considered solely as illustrative of the invention, the preferred embodiment thereof being illustrated. The invention, however, is of the, scope defined by the appended claim.

The invention claimed is:

A container type key structure comprising an elongated tubular body portion providing a hand grip, a closure for one end thereof, and a key formation" rigid with the body portion at the opposite end thereof substantially'closing' the 4 same, said key formation including a, portion projecting longitudinally beyond the body portion and having a side face for key purposes.

JESSE GUY MANLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 771,178 Scheel Sept. 27, 1904 884,896 Chreitzberg Apr. 14, 1908 7 191,216 Woolman May 22, 1877 1,873,565 Ferris Aug. 23, 1932 184,501 Bulkley Nov. 21, 1876 528,059 Abrams Oct. 23, 1894 1,480,338 Bacon Jan. 8, 1924.- 1,340,850 Holbrook May 18, 1920 1,364,736 Domanski Jan.4,1921

631,051 Phillips et a1 Aug. 15, 1899 

